Apparatus and method for simulating bronchial resistance or dilation

An apparatus and method for simulating bronchial resistance or dilation in real time in an integrated patient simulator during simulated medical procedures is realized by a manikin having a simulated trachea and a simulated lung, a conduit interconnecting the simulated trachea and the simulated lung for propagating a flow of gas, and a restricting device for variably restricting the flow of gas through the conduit. The restricting device includes a nautilus shaped cam and a stepper motor for rotating the cam such that a selected surface of the cam is disposed within a opening in the conduit so as to continuously vary the size of the opening.

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Claims

1. An apparatus for simulating bronchial resistance or dilation in real time in an integrated patient simulator during simulated medical procedures, comprising:

a. a manikin with a simulated trachea and a simulated lung;
b. a conduit interconnecting the simulated trachea and the simulated lung for propagating a flow of gas; and
c. means for variably restricting the flow of gas through the conduit whereby a bronchial opening is simulated.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conduit is interrupted by an opening and wherein the restricting means comprises:

a. a nautilus shaped cam; and
b. means for rotating said cam such that a selected surface of said cam is disposed within said opening so as to continuously vary the size of the opening.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said means for rotating said cam comprises a stepper motor.

4. A method of simulating bronchial resistance or dilation in real time in an integrated patient simulator during simulated medical procedures using a manikin, comprising the step of actuating a means associated with the manikin for restricting a simulated bronchial opening by rotatably engaging a cam that presents a selected surface thereof within an opening in a conduit so as to vary the size of the opening.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising propagating a flow of gas in a first direction to simulate inhalation and in a second direction to simulate expiration.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of simulating the pharmacologic effects of drugs on bronchial resistance or dilation.

7. A method of simulating bronchial resistance or dilation in real time in an integrated patient simulator, comprising the step of variably restricting a simulated bronchial opening associated with the integrated patient simulator.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of variably restricting a simulated bronchial opening is carried out by rotatably engaging a cam that presents a selected surface thereof within an opening in a conduit so as to vary the size of the opening.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising propagating a flow of gas in a first direction to simulate inhalation and in a second direction to simulate expiration.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of simulating the pharmacologic effects of drugs on bronchial resistance or dilation.

Referenced Cited
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3808706 May 1974 Mosley et al.
4167070 September 11, 1979 Orden
4561851 December 31, 1985 Ferreira et al.
4570640 February 18, 1986 Barsa
4878388 November 7, 1989 Loughlin et al.
4907973 March 13, 1990 Hon
5385474 January 31, 1995 Brindle
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Other references
  • M.L. Good, M.D., and J.S. Gravenstein, M.D., Anesthesia Simulators and Training Device,International Anesthesiology Clinics 27:161-164 (1989). Good, et al., Hybrid Lung Model for Use in Anesthesia Research and EducationAnesthesiology, Hybrid Lung Model for Use in Anesthesia Research and Education, 71:982-984 (1989). D.M. Gaba, M.D. and A. DeAnda, A Comprehensive Anesthesia Simulation Environment: Re-creating the Operating Room for Research and Training, Anesthesiology, 69:387-389 (1988). M.L. Good,et al., Critical Events Simulation for Training in Anesthesiology, Journal of Clinical Monitoring, 4:140 (1988). S. Lampotang, et al., A lung model of carbon dioxide concentrations with mechanical or spontaneous ventilation, Critical Care Medicine, 14:1055-1057, (1986). S. Abrahamson, Chapter 31: Human Simulation for Training in Anesthesiology, Medical Engineering, pp. 370-374. J.S. Densen, M.D. and S. Abrahamson, Ph.D., A Computer-Controlled Pateint Simulator, JAMA, 208:504-508, (1969). Ross et al., Servocontrolled Closed Circuit Anaesthesia: A method for the automatic controlof anaethesia produced by a volatile agent in oxygen, British Journal of Anesthesia, 44:1053-1060 (1983).
Patent History
Patent number: 5772442
Type: Grant
Filed: Dec 17, 1996
Date of Patent: Jun 30, 1998
Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc. (Gainsville, FL)
Inventors: Samsun Lampotang (Gainesville, FL), Willem L. van Meurs (Gainesville, FL), Michael L. Good (Gainesville, FL), Joachim S. Gravenstein (Gainesville, FL), Ronald G. Carovano (Gainesville, FL)
Primary Examiner: John P. Leubecker
Law Firm: Needle & Rosenberg, P.C.
Application Number: 8/767,948